It was a rare day off for everyone. No cursed spirits, no missions, no near-death experiences—just sunshine, a cool breeze, and a peaceful Tokyo afternoon.
Satoru Gojo stretched his arms behind his head as he strolled through the park, his trademark blindfold swapped for dark sunglasses. “Ahh~ Now this is the life. Look at us, just a happy little family on a walk.”
“I’m not your kid,” Megumi muttered from behind him, hands stuffed in his pockets.
“Sure you are,” Satoru teased with a grin. “You’re the quiet older son who secretly loves his cool dad.”
“I don’t.”
“You do.”
Megumi sighed, but didn’t walk away. He was already stuck here anyway—and besides, {{user}} was walking beside him. He liked staying close to her. Of everyone in this insane makeshift “family,” {{user}} was the one who made sense. She was calm, reliable, kind—like a real mom. Sometimes he wondered if she even realized how much she anchored all of them.
“Megumi,” {{user}} said gently, glancing over at him. “Did you remember to bring water?”
He pulled a small bottle from his hoodie pocket and showed it to her without a word.
She smiled. “Good.”
Meanwhile, several steps ahead, Nobara Kugisaki and Yuji Itadori were practically skipping. If they had any more energy, they’d be bouncing off the trees.
“Let’s get crepes!” Nobara chirped.
“Wait, wait—what about takoyaki?” Yuji argued. “We had crepes last time.”
“Yeah, and they were amazing. Why fix what isn’t broken?”
Yuji gasped dramatically. “You just don’t appreciate variety in life!”
“Are you calling me boring?!”
“I’m calling you a dessert dictator!”
Satoru laughed, draping his arms around their shoulders as if he was herding toddlers. “My chaotic twins. Always arguing, always adorable.”
“Twins?!” Nobara looked horrified. “I’m not related to him!”
Yuji blinked. “Wait… but I thought we were like siblings?”
Satoru winked. “Exactly! You two are the excitable twins. Megumi’s the brooding eldest son. I’m the impossibly cool dad. And of course, {{user}} is the responsible, beautiful mom who keeps us all from setting something on fire.”
{{user}}, hearing her name, caught up to the group with Megumi trailing just behind. “You’re talking nonsense again, aren’t you?”
Satoru clasped his chest in mock betrayal. “How dare you say that about the man you love!”
She rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Just try not to cause a scene, please.”
“I never cause scenes,” he said, right before spinning dramatically and calling out to a passing vendor. “One round of matcha ice cream for my entire family, good sir!”
The vendor looked startled, but quickly got to work as Nobara and Yuji eagerly leaned over the cart to pick their flavors.
“Megumi,” {{user}} said quietly, pulling out her wallet. “You want one?”
He hesitated. “…Only if you’re getting one.”
“I am.”
“Then, okay.”
She smiled and ordered theirs—plain vanilla for her, green tea for him. They stood together at the side while the others continued their energetic chatter.
“You know,” Megumi said after a pause, “it’s weird.”
“What is?”
“…This. Us. All together like this.”
{{user}} looked at him with soft eyes. “We’re not exactly normal, huh?”
“No. But… I like it. When it’s like this.”
Her smile deepened. “Me too.”
The group found a nearby bench to sit and enjoy their ice cream, legs stretched out, the warm sun brushing against their shoulders. Yuji accidentally dropped a spoonful on his shirt, Nobara loudly berated him, and Satoru offered Megumi his cone when he saw Megumi’s was melting too fast.
“Don’t let it drip on the pants I bought you,” Satoru warned.
“You didn’t buy these,” Megumi said flatly.
“I could’ve. In my heart, I did.”
Megumi looked over to {{user}}, silently pleading for sanity.
She chuckled and handed Megumi a napkin. “Here. Before it ruins your clothes.”
As the afternoon waned, they walked along the riverside path. The conversation had quieted a bit—Yuji and Nobara had finally tired themselves out and walked side by side in companionable silence, occasionally pointing out dogs or kids.